The WISE Women’s Business Center, in partnership with the Whitman School of Management, has announced the renewal of its status as an Entrepreneurial Assistance Center (EAC) through Empire State Development’s EAC program. This recognition confirms WISE as one of 26 Entrepreneurship Assistance Centers in New York, acknowledging its role in promoting entrepreneurship and economic development in Central New York.
With a three-year grant from Empire State Development, the WISE Women’s Business Center plans to enhance its Accelerate: Business Plan Intensive program and provide free business counseling. This funding aims to assist more entrepreneurs in Central New York by helping them build robust businesses, secure funding, and navigate state certification processes.
The Accelerate: Business Plan Intensive program is now in its fifth year and started its ninth cohort in April. It is a 10-week program that offers early-stage entrepreneurs expert advice, peer collaboration, and personalized support for developing business plans and financial projections useful for loan applications and finding business partners.
In recognition of WISE’s efforts to empower local entrepreneurs, Arteika Hunter was awarded the EAC Entrepreneur of the Year by Empire State Development at the 2024 EAC Annual Conference. Hunter founded Clean & Glo Cleaning Services LLC in August 2022 after over ten years in the cleaning industry. With support from WISE and other community resources, she continues to overcome challenges related to owning and expanding her small business.
